VNA’s e-newspaper VietnamPlus honoured for contributions to Vietnam-Laos relations

Editor-in-chief of VietnamPlus Tran Tien Duan (sixth, L) receives the certificate of merit. (Photo: VNA)

Hanoi (VNA) – The e-newspaper of the Vietnam News Agency (VNA), VietnamPlus, was honoured with a certificate of merit for its contributions to organising and implementing the online quiz on the Vietnam-Laos relations at a ceremony in Hanoi on December 12.

The Party Central Committee’s Commission for Information and Education organised the ceremony reviewing the contest.

Participants at the event included Pham Binh Minh, Politburo member and Permanent Deputy Prime Minister; and Nguyen Trong Nghia, Secretary of the Party Central Committee (PCC) and head of the PCC's Commission for Information and Education.

Khamphanh Pheuyavong, Secretary of the Lao People’s Revolutionary Party (LPRP) Central Committee and head of the LPRP Central Committee’s Commission for Propaganda and Training and Lao Ambassador to Vietnam Sengphet Houngboungnuang also joined the ceremony.

Addressing the event, Nghia said the contest has contributed to educating people of the two countries. This is especially so with youngsters, educated on the special friendship between Vietnam and Laos during the past struggle for national liberation and building socialism.

Nguyen Trong Nghia, Secretary of the Party Central Committee (PCC) and head of the PCC's Commission for Information and Education speaks at the event. (Photo: VNA)

The official suggested that ministries, localities and businesses of the two countries work together to elevate Vietnam-Laos relations to new heights. The aim is to enhance the position and prestige of the two Parties and countries in the international arena, thus making positive contributions to peace, stability, cooperation and development in the region and the world.

The contest formed part of activities to mark the Vietnam-Laos and Laos-Vietnam Solidarity and Friendship Year 2022, the 60th anniversary of diplomatic ties (September 5, 1962 – 2022), and 45 years of the signing of the Treaty of Amity and Cooperation (July 18, 1977 – 2022), he noted.

The system counted 681,291 people joining the contest, including more than 2,000 Lao nationals and many contestants of other nationalities.

Participants at the event (Photo: VNA)

Nghe An, Ho Chi Minh City, Ha Tinh, Ha Noi, Tien Giang, Can Tho, Ha Nam, Hai Phong, Da Nang and Quang Ninh are the localities that took the lead in the number of participants.

The quiz was available weekly at the www.vietlao.dangcongsan.vn. It was jointly organised by the Communist Review – the magazine of the Communist Party of Vietnam (CPV), social network VCNet and other press agencies.

The organising board awarded 12 first prizes, 24 second prizes and 60 third prizes to winners of the contest.

 The PCC’s Commission for Information and Education also presented certificates of merit to localities and collectives who had made outstanding contributions to the contest.

A special art performance praising the traditional friendship and comprehensive cooperation between Vietnam and Laos was held on the occasion.

Deputy Prime Minister Pham Binh Minh and other delegates at the special art performance (Photo: VNA)

The Vietnam-Laos relationship was founded by President Ho Chi Minh, President Kaysone Phomvihane and President Souphanouvong. It has been nurtured by generations of soldiers and people of both countries, and has become a priceless asset and a unique relationship in world history.

The solidarity, cooperation and mutual support between Vietnam and Laos is an objective rule and a factor of vital significance to each Party and nation. It is a shared asset and a foundation for their development during the future historical periods.

Despite difficulties and challenges, including those brought by COVID-19 pandemic, the partnership between the two Parties and countries has continued to grow steadily in an intensive and effective manner.

The bilateral political relations have been constantly reinforced and elevated from a traditional friendship to a great friendship, guiding their cooperation in other fields.

Vietnam and Laos have shown effective collaboration and mutual support at multilateral forums, which helped enhance the position of both Vietnam and Laos in the region and the world, and contributed to strengthening peace, stability and development of the ASEAN Community.

Defence-security continues to be one of the most important pillars in bilateral ties, while economic cooperation has been fruitful. Two-way trade has risen by double digits over recent years. Vietnam is the third largest investor in Laos with total investment of about USD 5.4 billion. Bilateral partnership in education-training - a strategic cooperative field as well as in culture, health care, transport and energy has also been growing, the same as ties among localities of both sides./.